Pursuing happiness requires good health

Most of us realize that the pursuit of happiness - one of the core principles outlined in the opening sentences of our nation's Declaration of Independence - depends on our being healthy enough to actually pursue happiness.

Yet we are living in a society where all of us - especially our children - are spending more time indoors where we tend to sit on our butts, as opposed to outdoors where we are naturally active. Studies show children ages 8 to 18 are averaging 6.5 hours per day with electronic media and only minutes each day just romping around outside.

The result is a generally unhealthy population spending billions of dollars each year treating diabetes and other issues related to being overweight. The majority - as much as 70 percent - of chronic conditions treated in our healthcare system relate to unhealthy lifestyle choices.

To reverse this threatening trend, some public and private initiatives in Delaware aim to build an environment that naturally encourages people to spend more time outdoors. Delaware's Division of Parks is promoting its Children in Nature/No Child Left Inside initiatives designed to get more people using the state's impressive system of parks.

Sussex Outdoors - a public and private initiative - is developing plans to work in cooperation with the state, communities, churches and schools to make people more aware of opportunities to be outside in fun environments.

At the cabinet level, Gov. Jack Markell's plan to link communities and parks with walking and bicycling trails is picking up steam. All of these initiatives together will build an environment where being healthier - and pursuing happiness - comes easily and naturally.

Cape Henlopen State Park will be hosting a Family Fun Day from 3 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25, with a variety of organized hikes and rides and other activities to help spark a love for being outdoors. There will be no park entry fee charged during that time.

It will be a great opportunity for families to get a free taste of the Cape Henlopen park and show children an outdoors lifestyle that can keep them healthier and happier.